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Wednesday, 28 December 2022

THE STACK.


"I knew that you would really be here one day " said Beach Buoy.
He gave Stubborn Dog a hug.


"It's just that l'm so worried about Another Dog. Hope she'll be ok?"
said Beach Buoy.
"She'll be fine."
said Stubborn Dog reassuringly.


"It was nice to see Another Dog again.
And how kind of those people to put stones on your stack." said Beach Buoy.



 "It's our stack now Beach Buoy." said Stubborn Dog.
"Oh, that would explain a lot of things."
said Beach Buoy.
Stubborn Dog gave Beach Buoy a hug. 

Beach Buoy.




Tuesday, 27 December 2022

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.


 Beach Buoy identification card.

Up to three hoods in winter months.

Up to two hoods in the milder months.

Known to shed a skin on rare occasions.

Legs out when Blue Moon visible. 

BEACH BUOY.


TUES.27,DEC 2022. SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL.


Beach Buoy woke at 5-35 a.m.
That qualifies as a sleep-in around here.
He drank a coffee.
About 6-30, he made a move. 
Kettle on for beach coffee in a pre-warmed thermal mug.
Another Dog uncurled herself from a cushion.
She leant of the back of the sofa.
She does this from time to time as Beach Buoy gets ready.
"Out?" 
asked Beach Buoy.
He had already closed the kitchen door to stop the funny little dog from escaping.
Another Dog hates the preparation before a walk. 
Beach Buoy took over her harness and coat.
It was like trying to dress a bag of builder's sand.

Beach Buoy filled the thermal mug.

He pulled on his orange coat.
He did a quick checklist. 
Beach Book ✅
Beach Coffee ✅
Beach Bag✅
Beach Buoy ✅
Bag of builder's sand ✅
Keys
keys
Keys

Beach Buoy patted coat pockets.
Beach Buoy checked the front door. 
He patted his coat once more.
He finally found them in the pouch of his hoodie.
A hoodie that was under another hoodie and a coat. 
He looked like a kangaroo looking for it's Joey whilst wearing two jumpers.
They set off.
It was 6-48 a.m.
He locked the front door.
Wind Turbine lights twinkled to his left.
The pavement twinkled too, with frost.


It's a fairly short walk to the beach.
Beach Buoy knows how lucky he is.
No beach visit is taken for granted.
The lights of the turbines seemed to be just beyond the Golf Club.
When viewed through the bare branches of winter trees, the lights looked like Christmas Tree decorations. 

It was cold.
Beach Buoy was as warm as warm toast.
They crossed the car park.
They went down the beach access ramp, torch in hand.
Mr Gunn/Nunn had parked up and gone.
One of the distant wave lady's group was stood at the raised boot of their car. 


A red flash crossed the sky.
As usual the wind turbines seemed to have ran out to sea.
So close, yet so far.
It was 7-13.
The distant wave lady's group member walked by.
"Morning Paul."
"Morning."
"Glad it's all over?" (Christmas.)
"Yes."
Beach Buoy and Another Dog walked towards the water's edge.


They began a torchlight shingle search.



Shingle. 
Shells.
Shingle. 
Shells.
Shingle all the way.

It was still not half light.
Beach Buoy took an earlier than usual sip of coffee.
He gave Another Dog another dog treat.
They set off once more.   
In places the dune edge was as high as a house.
They walked to Stubborn Dog Stack.


"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy added some stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
He drank coffee as he watched the sea.
The distant wave lady headed south on the beach below.
Distant waves were exchanged.

"See you mate."
They headed back to the beach.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog began to walk back 
Every now and then he turned to see what was happening to the sunrise.


Not much was the answer.
Low cloud had claimed it 
It just looked like a distant town's light at du


 A parcel of a dozen Oyster Catchers flew north.
A friendly brown Spaniel called Bailey came to say hello.
The owners chatted a while.
"Enjoy your day."
"You too "


BEACH BUOY.

Monday, 26 December 2022

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.

 


SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.

THE CROW WITH SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT.


BEACH BUOY.

BOXING DAY AFTERNOON, SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL


Beach Buoy hadn't planned on going back to the beach on the afternoon.
But .... it was such a sunny afternoon.

Even though his hands weren't cupped, he could feel the sunlight slip through his fingers. 

Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog walked to the beach.
They arrived at 3-30 p.m.

The tide was well in.
It was cold.
Chilly wind from the west. 

Beach Buoy pulled up three hoods.

They would step it out this afternoon.

The beach was busy with strange dogs and stranger people.



They reached Stubborn Dog Stack in about half of the time they normally would.
"Afternoon Mate."
Beach Buoy added some stones. 
He
patted
THE 
stone. 
He paused, watching the sea under the gaze of the thinnest slice of moon, hanging over the dunes. 


 They stepped it out once more as they headed back towards the village 
The sea claimed the beach.
They were off the beach before the evening had claimed the light.

BEACH BUOY.

BOXING DAY, SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL

Beach Buoy woke at 4-04 a.m.

He made coffee.

He drew.

5 o'clock came.

6 o'clock came. 

Beach Buoy made coffee to go.

"Beach?"

Another Dog looked up from the sofa before running to the top of the stairs to hide. 

She loves the beach, just hates getting ready!

By 6-50 a.m. they were sat in the beach car park,  waiting for daylight. 

Beach Buoy lit the van's Propex heater.

He drank coffee .

From the darkness of the promenade a lit, swinging torch travelled south.

A man walked briskly, his torch grip tightly in a swinging hand, making the beam rise and fall as he progressed along the promenade.

Two cyclists travelled first south along the promenade, then northwards, back to the village.

They set off in not quite half light.

It was 7-20 a.m.

The sand had a thin crispy layer of frost on it's surface.

It broke under foot.

The sea looked to be a silvery blue with a blood orange backdrop.

As yet, unseen Gulls cried.


A dog-less man overtook them as they began to head towards the strand-line.

It was 7-48 a.m. when they left the sea behind.

They reached Stubborn Dog Stack at 7-59.

The sandy slope had a layer of frost.

The frost gave Beach Buoy a little purchase as he climbed the steep access to the dunes, beach stones in-hand.

He still ended up looking like Mrs. Overall as she carried a tray of tea cups into the staff of Acorn Antiques.

"Morning Mate."

Beach Buoy patted 

THE 

stone.

Beach Buoy stood watching a sea that was breaking three or four waves out.

A cold breeze blew onto his back.

"See you mate.


The beach waited for the Sun to clear the hills.

A Cormorant flew northwards , close to the sea like an expertly skimmed stone.

A jogger ran by.

It was the man who looked as if he was on the run.

Not on a run.

God bless him thought Beach Buoy, the man covers some miles.

The sea pulled out like a theatre curtain.

Let the Boxing Day pantomime begin.

Enter stage left...

Hugo came bounding over.

Beach Buoy greeted the dog warmly.

The dog's owner came over.

It was the distant wave lady.

They chatted about Christmas, dogs, winter solstice and bonfires on the dune edge.

They went their separate ways.

Beach Buoy was pleased for the Distant Wave Lady.

She has the the south of the beach  and the sunrise to herself.


 Random sea front windows took turns to reflect the morning sun.

BEACH BUOY.

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.


 ACCESS RAMP SANDY BOOT STOMP.

As people leave the access ramp they sometimes stomp their feet to remove loose sand.

BEACH BUOY.


Sunday, 25 December 2022

THE SUNRISE SEEKERS.

 



SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT MUG.

BEACH BUOY.


CHRISTMAS DAY 2022. SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL.



Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off on foot at 9-50 a.m.


The breeze from the south was fresh but not cold.
No gloves required.


Around twenty people were on the beach.
The tide was well out so plenty of space for everyone 🙂.


A couple stood at the water's edge down by the wreck.
Alfie trotted over.
His owner, Mr Gunn/Nunn wasn't far behind.
They chatted briefly.
They went their separate ways with "Merry Christmas." in the air.

Beach Buoy and Another Dog continued heading south.


Stone binoculars a present for Stubborn Dog up at the stack, ordered off sea bay.


Beach Buoy left the binoculars looking out to sea.


"Merry Christmas Mate."
Beach Buoy patted 
THE 
stone.
Beach Buoy drank coffee.
He spent some time with his dogs.
They headed back to the beach.
"See you mate."


Driftwood.


Back northwards.


 Beach Buoy drank the remainder of the coffee as they walked.

BEACH BUOY.

Saturday, 24 December 2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS.



 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU.
YES YOU.
🤗

BEACH BUOY AND THE TEAM AT STUBBORN DOG STACK.





CHRISTMAS EVE, 2022. SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL. 😎


Beach Buoy, Borrowed Dog and Another Dog reached the beach in the van
 at 7-32 a.m.
It wasn't quite half light.
Silhouettes were scattered around the beach.
The air was still.
The tide just beyond the Seaton Carew Wreck.
Some cars in the car park were those of some early morning regulars.




Beach Buoy and the dogs walked towards the water's edge.
The sea was only breaking four or five steps out, but they were large steps.
To the north a dad and lad stood like Gormley statues as they watched their dog run free in the sea.
The statues gave two for one value as they were reflected in the wet sand.


They headed south.
Along the sea-battered dunes towards the Stack. 

"Morning Mate."
Beach Buoy added some stones.
He patted
THE
stone.
Beach Buoy watched the sea.
He looked up at the sky.
A parcel of Oyster Catchers flew north; air mail.
"See you mate."

The three began a slow walk back.


Rock pools drained back into the sea.


There was only one cloud in the sky.


8-26 a.m. the Sun cleared the hills.
Windows around the Village Green turned to gold.


Beach Buoy and the dogs walked just north of the Seaton Carew Wreck.
The shipwreck and the sunrise. 


 The wreck with the van dead ahead.

BEACH BUOY.
 

SEATON SNOOKS TEA ROOM OUT AND ABOUT CARD.


 LEAN ON ME
aka
THE WINDSWEPT BIN.

BEACH BUOY.


Friday, 23 December 2022

SEATON SANDS HARTLEPOOL 23 DEC 2022.


Beach Buoy and Another Dog set off for the beach on foot at 12-40 p.m.
Raindrops must have left clouds around the same time as they all met up at the Cricket Club a short while later.
It was fine, Peter Kaye type rain that 
"Soaks you right through."
As the rain came down two hoods went up.


Thankfully by the time that they set foot and paw on the beach, the rain had stopped.
The tide was a fair way in.
A fresh breeze blew from the south west.
Two hoods came down.
The wooly hat (Non- flamboyant.)
stayed on. 
They walked to a sea that seemed noisier than it was wild?


A couple, their dog and a pile of shingle were up ahead.

The couple turned into the dunes 
Beach Buoy turned into an eleven year old, skimming stones into the sea whilst no one was looking.

Others began catch up from the north.
The boy became a Buoy once more.
The sea had seemed to become wilder as the walk progressed southwards?
The scene out in the bay matching the roar that crossed it.
Beach Buoy and Another Dog headed towards Stubborn Dog Stack.
The Sandy Slope was becoming steeper day by day as the sea came in to claim the base.
Beach Buoy collected three large but suitable stones to add to the stack.
Climbing the slope was difficult.
It was like climbing up a down escalator.
An escalator covered in dry shiting sand. 


"Afternoon Mate."
Beach Buoy added the stones.
He patted
THE 
stone.
He watched the sea high-five the North Gare Pier.
It was 1-30.
He stood with the wind on his face and the sea air in his lungs.



A couple had walked as far south as the stack.
They returned to the north hand in hand.

"See you mate.'
Beach Buoy and Another Dog climbed down to the beach.


A ship left port as they left Stubborn Dog Stack behind... for now ...


 Up ahead a lady walked the water's edge.
Every now and then she would stop to photograph the scene out in the bay.

BEACH BUOY.